Business /

Financial services

Supporting you in responding rapidly to market changes and driving your business forward.

The financial sector has maintained its position as a key, consistent driver of the UK economy. However, it is undoubtedly undergoing a period of significant transformation, influenced by changing consumer behaviour, accelerating technological developments and an increasingly complex regulatory framework. Now more than ever, your business needs to work with a legal team with a deep understanding of the changing financial markets which can provide you with practical, incisive guidance.

Make an enquiryMeet the teamFinancial services

  • Key contact

    Nigel Brahams

    Nigel Brahams

    Partner - Head of Financial Services

    ArrowView profile

  • The Team

    Our lawyers have the expertise and experience to provide you with creative, personalised solutions in a clear and understandable way.

    ArrowMeet the team

  • Our Publications

    Discover a wealth of invaluable guidance in the form of guides and brochures written by our expert lawyers.

    ArrowSee our downloads

  • Our insights

    Discover the latest insights and thought leadership from our team of legal experts.

    ArrowFind out more

About

Helping businesses and individuals in the financial sector respond rapidly to market changes.

Now over ten years on from the financial crisis, financial services organisations remain under an intense regulatory and media spotlight. The perceptible shift in focus towards transparency and personal accountability has correlated with a growing number of investigations by regulators and claims from customers on the grounds of financial mis-selling. Although financial services organisations face substantial challenges when it comes to staying ahead of the evolving landscape, this rigorous regulatory environment also provides an opportunity for businesses to engender trust with their clients and achieve a competitive advantage.

Our multi-disciplinary team provides a seamless service to businesses and individuals operating in the financial sector. Our work ranges from corporate finance, lending, and restructuring, to funding, financial regulation, high-value banking litigation and complex claims against financial institutions.

We devise innovative strategies to support you in responding rapidly to market changes and driving your business forward. With complete awareness of the workings of your business and an excellent insight into the intricacies of financial markets, we are committed to providing you with proactive, tailored and fundamentally commercial solutions.

Financial services work highlights

LIBOR TRANSITION UPDATE: q1 2021
usa-flag-skyscraper
stock-charts
city london evening
Close up image hand using mobile phone
bitcoin
Padlock on a keyboard
tokyo-streets
London Gherkin
inserting coin on the vintage piggy bank
bitcoin
uk-bunting
toy houses
banking_network
man making an online payment with his credit card

Acted for a group of investment companies in a Commercial Court dispute

We acted for a group of investment companies in a Commercial Court dispute with a major commercial bank (£100million) concerning a number of loan agreements and associated swaps, encompassing allegations of misrepresentation and fraud in connection with alleged LIBOR manipulation by the defendant bank.

Led by:

Acted for US and European banks in connection with numerous “Hague Deposition Orders”

We acted for US and European banks in connection with numerous “Hague Deposition Orders”, which require witnesses to give evidence in England for claims before the New York Federal District Court.

Led by:

Advising a commodity derivatives platform

We advised a commodity derivatives platform, on the regulatory and commercial aspects of managing its platform. In particular we provided perimeter regulatory guidance as to whether the platform could be undertaking regulated activities in various scenarios, in order to conduct brokerage of potentially exempt products. We also had to consider whether its activities could be interpreted as operating a trading venue.

Led by:

Advising a crypto currency trading platform

We advised a central Europe-based client building a platform offering access to artificial-intelligence powered crypto currency trading tools, on UK regulation regarding ICOs and token sales.

Led by:

Advising a family office on FCA regulatory requirements

We advised a family office on the FCA regulatory requirements of operating a multi-family office, as well as advising them on SAFEs under which they were investing in two early-stage companies.

Led by:

Advising a financial research provider

We advised a financial research provider on regulatory issues of offering investment research.

Led by:

Advising a leading FX provider on their terms of business

We updated the terms of business of a leading FX provider to ensure compliance with the latest law and regulation.

Led by:

Advising on a project to issue music NFTs

We advised Goldreel on their project to issue NFTs representing new music.

Led by:

Advising on crypto trading terms of business

We advised a brokerage house introducing crypto trading offering to clients.

Led by:

Advising the funding for cross-channel information platform

We advised on the ‘Series A’ funding of a company operating a cross-channel platform for secure authentication and information exchange for the banking, government, healthcare, e-commerce sectors.

Led by:

Advising the investment of a venture capital fund

We advised on the investment into a digital identity company by a venture capital fund.

Led by:

ICO for Stablecoin project

We advised a Japanese based client on the legal and regulatory aspects in regards to raising funds via an initial coin offering (ICO) for its Stablecoin project.

Led by:

Providing advice on the Senior Managers Regime

We advised several individuals on issues relating to the Senior Managers Regime and also on personal regulatory issues.

Led by:

Providing commercial advice to a leading start-up bank

We advise a leading start-up online bank on an on-going basis on multiple commercial matters including terms and conditions, services agreements, influencer agreements and others.

Led by:

Providing ICO corporate and regulatory advice

We advised a leading provider of regulatory services in the crypto space on a range of corporate and regulatory matters, including the regulatory impact of selling initial coin offerings (ICOs) into the UK market, various block trades in crypto currencies, and assorted corporate structure matters, including debt, ICO and equity financing.

Led by:

Providing regulatory advice to a crypto market maker

We advised a crypto market maker on the regulatory aspects of doing business in the UK.

Led by:

Providing regulatory advice to a real estate research provider

We advised a leading real estate research provider on a range of regulatory and commercial issues.

Led by:

Successful application for Search and Disc Imaging Orders for a financial services company

We acted on behalf of a financial services company concerning theft and misuse of confidential information, including successful application for Search and Disc Imaging Orders against the defendants.

Led by:

Supporting the investment into a leading AML provider

We advised on the investment into a leading AML provider in the crypto space by a venture capital fund.

Led by:

Spotlight

FinTech

Our practice advises a diverse client base including challenger banks, peer-to-peer e-payment vehicles, Forex companies and those utilising Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

We regularly advise companies and projects looking to raise funds via Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Security Token Offerings (STOs) in regard to UK law and FCA regulation and the contractual relationship between those offering the token and the token holder. We have particular expertise advising on corporate, commercial, data protection, and intellectual property issues and resolving disputes.

We understand that, in this space, simple is better. We keep our approach light touch, focusing only on what needs to be done to secure the best result as quickly as possible, freeing you up to focus on the progression of your business.

Spotlight

Islamic finance

Our financial services team has experience in drafting and negotiating master purchase and sale agreements for Islamic finance products, including commodity based Murabaha trades and Sukuk bonds, negotiating with a number of Middle Eastern Banks in the process.

On the disputes side, we have been instructed by a number of state-owned Middle Eastern banks over the years on various financial and commercial dispute matters. As such we are aware and very familiar with the business and other cultural issues involved in acting both for and against clients in the Arab world.

Spotlight

Services for brokers

Wide-ranging legal and regulatory guidance to help Broker Dealers, including stockbrokers, interdealer brokers, FX, CFD, crypto and commodities brokers deal with regulation and legal risk and documentation.

In the UK, activities of Brokers are tightly regulated by the UK FCA and FSMA and EU regulations grandfathered into local law. environment. From the way you document derivatives trades to the way you communicate potential investment opportunities, everything is tightly controlled by several rules that affect how you do business. At the same time, customers and counterparties are increasingly litigious. Disputes around misselling are becoming more commonplace, and allegations of misconduct can result in liability more readily than in the past. We help our clients understand what is permitted and what they can and cannot do.

Pragmatic solutions from a specialist team

Our broker practice is partner-led and supported by specialist lawyers with extensive hands-on experience gained working in brokerage and capital markets. We can advise advising brokers on a wide range of issues, covering regulation, deal documentation, employment and litigation.

While other lawyers may overcomplicate the legal and regulatory framework, we focus on what’s important. We aim to handle every matter pragmatically, providing concrete solutions for our broker clients, based on our real world experience of working not just in law firms but for investment banks and brokers.

Select areas of expertise

We offer a full spectrum of services for brokers who trade in equities, debt, currency, commodities, contracts for difference, cryptocurrencies and derivatives.

  • Regulatory and compliance: We assist with all aspects of regulation and compliance including perimeter guidance, financial promotions and the FCA Handbook.
  • Documenting Transactions: Additionally, we advise on terms of business, introducing broker agreements, appointed representative agreements as well as derivatives master agreements (ISDA, GMRA, MSLA etc).
  • Disputes: Our seasoned dispute resolution team handles the most significant matters facing financial brokers including claims for misselling, professional negligence and contractual disputes. We also assist with regulatory investigations.
  • Employment law and general business: We can help you set up brokerage documentation, employment contracts and compliance policies, as well as manage everyday employment issues, internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings. We also conduct employment tribunal hearings and settlement negotiations.
  • Data privacy: FCA-regulated brokers have a duty to be responsible when handling client data and control their activities through adequate risk-management systems. Our specialists in data privacy law can help you build GDPR-compliant practices and respond appropriately to any breach.

Jump to the top of the Financial services page

Funding & finance

All businesses need adequate funding in order to operate and grow. We work for both commercial lenders and borrowers on a range of funding transactions, both domestic and cross-border.

Find out more

Restructuring

Whether you are looking to restructure your current operations or seeking guidance on insolvency, you need to work closely with specialist insolvency lawyers to devise an innovative strategy which will protect your interests and maximise the economic outcome of your situation.

Find out more

Banking litigation

Our team of banking litigation lawyers has a considerable track record of determinedly resisting claims made by banks and other financial institutions and encouraging them to look for ways to resolve the dispute by compromise.

We work frequently with clients in high value and complex banking litigation and financial disputes including over benchmark manipulation, investments, structured finance, forex, loans, guarantees and other forms of security and we have particular experience of finance litigation relating to derivatives.

Find out more

Financial regulatory

Our Financial regulatory team specialises in advising financial services, Fintech, Regtech and broader technology-based companies, from start-ups to mature businesses, on all aspects of their regulatory requirements from inception and throughout their lifecycle.

As well as providing our clients with general perimeter guidance, we have specific expertise advising businesses in compliance with MiFID II and in the compliance requirements (covering both corporate and employment law) of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).

We have extensive experience advising FCA regulated brokerage firms, providing guidance on OTC & Exchange traded derivatives and brokerage, including ISDA Master Agreements, terms of business and brokerage documentation. We also work closely with trading and communications platforms, litigation funders and those operating in the peer-to-peer market.

We have a strong understanding of the markets you operate in and the regulatory challenges you come up against. By integrating with your team and becoming familiar with the intricacies of your business, we can assist you in navigating the regulatory landscape in a way that supports your wider commercial objectives and moves your business forward.

Find out more

Financial services Publications

Financial services insights

View all insights

  • "They have the ability to make the complex seem simple. In areas covered by payment services, electronic money, fund-of-fund platforms and saving and investment applications, Collyer Bristow is an exceptional partner"

    Legal 500, 2025
Back

Need some more information? Make an enquiry below



    Financial services key contacts

    Financial services

    Financial services

    Financial services

    Supporting you in responding rapidly to market changes and driving your business forward.

    The financial sector has maintained its position as a key, consistent driver of the UK economy. However, it is undoubtedly undergoing a period of significant transformation, influenced by changing consumer behaviour, accelerating technological developments and an increasingly complex regulatory framework. Now more than ever, your business needs to work with a legal team with a deep understanding of the changing financial markets which can provide you with practical, incisive guidance.

    • Key contact

      Nigel Brahams

      Nigel Brahams

      Partner - Head of Financial Services

      ArrowView profile

    • The Team

      Our lawyers have the expertise and experience to provide you with creative, personalised solutions in a clear and understandable way.

      ArrowMeet the team

    • Our Publications

      Discover a wealth of invaluable guidance in the form of guides and brochures written by our expert lawyers.

      ArrowSee our downloads

    • Our insights

      Discover the latest insights and thought leadership from our team of legal experts.

      ArrowFind out more

    Helping businesses and individuals in the financial sector respond rapidly to market changes.

    Now over ten years on from the financial crisis, financial services organisations remain under an intense regulatory and media spotlight. The perceptible shift in focus towards transparency and personal accountability has correlated with a growing number of investigations by regulators and claims from customers on the grounds of financial mis-selling. Although financial services organisations face substantial challenges when it comes to staying ahead of the evolving landscape, this rigorous regulatory environment also provides an opportunity for businesses to engender trust with their clients and achieve a competitive advantage.

    Our multi-disciplinary team provides a seamless service to businesses and individuals operating in the financial sector. Our work ranges from corporate finance, lending, and restructuring, to funding, financial regulation, high-value banking litigation and complex claims against financial institutions.

    We devise innovative strategies to support you in responding rapidly to market changes and driving your business forward. With complete awareness of the workings of your business and an excellent insight into the intricacies of financial markets, we are committed to providing you with proactive, tailored and fundamentally commercial solutions.

    Financial services work highlights

    LIBOR TRANSITION UPDATE: q1 2021
    usa-flag-skyscraper
    stock-charts
    city london evening
    Close up image hand using mobile phone
    bitcoin
    Padlock on a keyboard
    tokyo-streets
    London Gherkin
    inserting coin on the vintage piggy bank
    bitcoin
    uk-bunting
    toy houses
    banking_network
    man making an online payment with his credit card

    Acted for a group of investment companies in a Commercial Court dispute

    We acted for a group of investment companies in a Commercial Court dispute with a major commercial bank (£100million) concerning a number of loan agreements and associated swaps, encompassing allegations of misrepresentation and fraud in connection with alleged LIBOR manipulation by the defendant bank.

    Led by:

    Acted for US and European banks in connection with numerous “Hague Deposition Orders”

    We acted for US and European banks in connection with numerous “Hague Deposition Orders”, which require witnesses to give evidence in England for claims before the New York Federal District Court.

    Led by:

    Advising a commodity derivatives platform

    We advised a commodity derivatives platform, on the regulatory and commercial aspects of managing its platform. In particular we provided perimeter regulatory guidance as to whether the platform could be undertaking regulated activities in various scenarios, in order to conduct brokerage of potentially exempt products. We also had to consider whether its activities could be interpreted as operating a trading venue.

    Led by:

    Advising a crypto currency trading platform

    We advised a central Europe-based client building a platform offering access to artificial-intelligence powered crypto currency trading tools, on UK regulation regarding ICOs and token sales.

    Led by:

    Advising a family office on FCA regulatory requirements

    We advised a family office on the FCA regulatory requirements of operating a multi-family office, as well as advising them on SAFEs under which they were investing in two early-stage companies.

    Led by:

    Advising a financial research provider

    We advised a financial research provider on regulatory issues of offering investment research.

    Led by:

    Advising a leading FX provider on their terms of business

    We updated the terms of business of a leading FX provider to ensure compliance with the latest law and regulation.

    Led by:

    Advising on a project to issue music NFTs

    We advised Goldreel on their project to issue NFTs representing new music.

    Led by:

    Advising on crypto trading terms of business

    We advised a brokerage house introducing crypto trading offering to clients.

    Led by:

    Advising the funding for cross-channel information platform

    We advised on the ‘Series A’ funding of a company operating a cross-channel platform for secure authentication and information exchange for the banking, government, healthcare, e-commerce sectors.

    Led by:

    Advising the investment of a venture capital fund

    We advised on the investment into a digital identity company by a venture capital fund.

    Led by:

    ICO for Stablecoin project

    We advised a Japanese based client on the legal and regulatory aspects in regards to raising funds via an initial coin offering (ICO) for its Stablecoin project.

    Led by:

    Providing advice on the Senior Managers Regime

    We advised several individuals on issues relating to the Senior Managers Regime and also on personal regulatory issues.

    Led by:

    Providing commercial advice to a leading start-up bank

    We advise a leading start-up online bank on an on-going basis on multiple commercial matters including terms and conditions, services agreements, influencer agreements and others.

    Led by:

    Providing ICO corporate and regulatory advice

    We advised a leading provider of regulatory services in the crypto space on a range of corporate and regulatory matters, including the regulatory impact of selling initial coin offerings (ICOs) into the UK market, various block trades in crypto currencies, and assorted corporate structure matters, including debt, ICO and equity financing.

    Led by:

    Providing regulatory advice to a crypto market maker

    We advised a crypto market maker on the regulatory aspects of doing business in the UK.

    Led by:

    Providing regulatory advice to a real estate research provider

    We advised a leading real estate research provider on a range of regulatory and commercial issues.

    Led by:

    Successful application for Search and Disc Imaging Orders for a financial services company

    We acted on behalf of a financial services company concerning theft and misuse of confidential information, including successful application for Search and Disc Imaging Orders against the defendants.

    Led by:

    Supporting the investment into a leading AML provider

    We advised on the investment into a leading AML provider in the crypto space by a venture capital fund.

    Led by:

    SPOTLIGHT

    FinTechopen

    Our practice advises a diverse client base including challenger banks, peer-to-peer e-payment vehicles, Forex companies and those utilising Blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies.

    We regularly advise companies and projects looking to raise funds via Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) and Security Token Offerings (STOs) in regard to UK law and FCA regulation and the contractual relationship between those offering the token and the token holder. We have particular expertise advising on corporate, commercial, data protection, and intellectual property issues and resolving disputes.

    We understand that, in this space, simple is better. We keep our approach light touch, focusing only on what needs to be done to secure the best result as quickly as possible, freeing you up to focus on the progression of your business.

    Islamic financeopen

    Our financial services team has experience in drafting and negotiating master purchase and sale agreements for Islamic finance products, including commodity based Murabaha trades and Sukuk bonds, negotiating with a number of Middle Eastern Banks in the process.

    On the disputes side, we have been instructed by a number of state-owned Middle Eastern banks over the years on various financial and commercial dispute matters. As such we are aware and very familiar with the business and other cultural issues involved in acting both for and against clients in the Arab world.

    Services for brokersopen

    Wide-ranging legal and regulatory guidance to help Broker Dealers, including stockbrokers, interdealer brokers, FX, CFD, crypto and commodities brokers deal with regulation and legal risk and documentation.

    In the UK, activities of Brokers are tightly regulated by the UK FCA and FSMA and EU regulations grandfathered into local law. environment. From the way you document derivatives trades to the way you communicate potential investment opportunities, everything is tightly controlled by several rules that affect how you do business. At the same time, customers and counterparties are increasingly litigious. Disputes around misselling are becoming more commonplace, and allegations of misconduct can result in liability more readily than in the past. We help our clients understand what is permitted and what they can and cannot do.

    Pragmatic solutions from a specialist team

    Our broker practice is partner-led and supported by specialist lawyers with extensive hands-on experience gained working in brokerage and capital markets. We can advise advising brokers on a wide range of issues, covering regulation, deal documentation, employment and litigation.

    While other lawyers may overcomplicate the legal and regulatory framework, we focus on what’s important. We aim to handle every matter pragmatically, providing concrete solutions for our broker clients, based on our real world experience of working not just in law firms but for investment banks and brokers.

    Select areas of expertise

    We offer a full spectrum of services for brokers who trade in equities, debt, currency, commodities, contracts for difference, cryptocurrencies and derivatives.

    • Regulatory and compliance: We assist with all aspects of regulation and compliance including perimeter guidance, financial promotions and the FCA Handbook.
    • Documenting Transactions: Additionally, we advise on terms of business, introducing broker agreements, appointed representative agreements as well as derivatives master agreements (ISDA, GMRA, MSLA etc).
    • Disputes: Our seasoned dispute resolution team handles the most significant matters facing financial brokers including claims for misselling, professional negligence and contractual disputes. We also assist with regulatory investigations.
    • Employment law and general business: We can help you set up brokerage documentation, employment contracts and compliance policies, as well as manage everyday employment issues, internal investigations and disciplinary proceedings. We also conduct employment tribunal hearings and settlement negotiations.
    • Data privacy: FCA-regulated brokers have a duty to be responsible when handling client data and control their activities through adequate risk-management systems. Our specialists in data privacy law can help you build GDPR-compliant practices and respond appropriately to any breach.

    Jump to the top of the Financial services page.

    Select a specific Financial services service

    Funding & finance

    All businesses need adequate funding in order to operate and grow. We work for both commercial lenders and borrowers on a range of funding transactions, both domestic and cross-border.

    Find out more

    Restructuring

    Whether you are looking to restructure your current operations or seeking guidance on insolvency, you need to work closely with specialist insolvency lawyers to devise an innovative strategy which will protect your interests and maximise the economic outcome of your situation.

    Find out more

    Banking litigation

    Our team of banking litigation lawyers has a considerable track record of determinedly resisting claims made by banks and other financial institutions and encouraging them to look for ways to resolve the dispute by compromise.

    We work frequently with clients in high value and complex banking litigation and financial disputes including over benchmark manipulation, investments, structured finance, forex, loans, guarantees and other forms of security and we have particular experience of finance litigation relating to derivatives.

    Find out more

    Financial regulatory

    Our Financial regulatory team specialises in advising financial services, Fintech, Regtech and broader technology-based companies, from start-ups to mature businesses, on all aspects of their regulatory requirements from inception and throughout their lifecycle.

    As well as providing our clients with general perimeter guidance, we have specific expertise advising businesses in compliance with MiFID II and in the compliance requirements (covering both corporate and employment law) of the Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR).

    We have extensive experience advising FCA regulated brokerage firms, providing guidance on OTC & Exchange traded derivatives and brokerage, including ISDA Master Agreements, terms of business and brokerage documentation. We also work closely with trading and communications platforms, litigation funders and those operating in the peer-to-peer market.

    We have a strong understanding of the markets you operate in and the regulatory challenges you come up against. By integrating with your team and becoming familiar with the intricacies of your business, we can assist you in navigating the regulatory landscape in a way that supports your wider commercial objectives and moves your business forward.

    Find out more

    Financial services insights

    View all insights

    Testimonials

    • "They have the ability to make the complex seem simple. In areas covered by payment services, electronic money, fund-of-fund platforms and saving and investment applications, Collyer Bristow is an exceptional partner"

      Legal 500, 2025

    Need some more information? Make an enquiry below.

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